As part of its Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the Boundary Commission[n 3] made minor changes to re-align the constituency boundaries with the boundaries of the local government wards. This involved moving the entirety of the Beverley ward into Kingston and Surbiton. It had been split between Richmond Park and Kingston and Surbiton after ward boundaries were changed in 2002. The public consultation on proposed changes across the boroughs of Kingston and Richmond received 11 submissions, of which ten were in support.[1][2] The new boundaries came into effect at the 2010 general election.

The constituency was created in 1997, when the number of seats covering the boroughs of Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames was reduced from four to three. It replaced the former Surbiton constituency completely and also covers the south of the former Kingston constituency. Being largely middle-class, suburban areas, both Kingston and Surbiton were traditionally strongholds for the Conservatives, with Norbiton being the sole Labour-majority ward.